Youth Development Programs

SOUTHWEST URBAN ARTS MURAL PROJECT (SUAMP)

​SUAMP engages youth in artistic, workforce development, and leadership skill building. Youth work with trained professional artists from the College for Creative Studies (CCS) Community Arts Partnership (CAP) to build their technical art skills. Youth spend the winter months honing their artistic skill set to prepare them to take on commissions in the neighborhood. In the summer, they are hired to help design and paint murals for residents, local businesses, and corporations. If you are interested in commissioning a mural with SUAMP, please click here.

URBAN FORESTRY AND RECREATION PROGRAM

The Urban Forestry and Recreation Program is made up of two teams of youth 16 to 19; the Green Team and the Summer Enrichment and Recreation Team. The Green Team works with our Curator of Parks and Public Spaces helping maintain neighborhood parks and transforming vacant lots and green spaces. Youth learn landscaping and horticulture skills. Our Summer Enrichment and Recreation Team help facilitate daily programs for our out of school learning programs. They participate in youth development trainings and help lead daily enrichment activities for youth ages 5 to 14.​

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

​The Apprenticeship Program engages youth in professional development, goal setting, and career exploration workshops. Youth are placed in local businesses and organizations that align with their future career goals.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS

YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD​The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is the youth leadership of our organization, they are in charge of working with the Youth Development Director around program evaluation and decision-making, lead peer-to-peer listening campaigns, and plan and implement events and opportunities for youth in the neighborhood. YAB members participate in leadership training and plan projects and campaigns to address issues youth face in the neighborhood.

LEADERSHIP 101​Leadership 101 is a program for high school youth to complete leadership development and community organizing training. Youth learn how to plan and implement projects and campaigns in their neighborhood to address issues they care about. Leadership 101 also supports youth academically by providing SAT preparation workshops, tutoring, scholarship writing, and career planning. Participants are required to develop a detailed, achievable career plan and shadow a professional in a career they are interested in pursuing. Youth are compensated with a monthly stipend and have the opportunity to work in one of our youth employment programs after they complete the program.

REAL MEDIAReal Media teaches photography and videography skills to high school youth. Youth use these skills as a platform to increase awareness and address issues their peers face in their neighborhood. Click here to like our Humans of Southwest Detroit page.

OUT-OF-SCHOOL LEARNING

ALL SAINTS NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM​All Saints Neighborhood Center (ASNC) After School Program for youth ages 7 to 13 is based in our neighborhood center. We provide homework help, tutoring, and daily enrichment activities focusing on STEAM, technology, nutrition, and social emotional skill building.

​HARMS HOMEWORK HELPHarms Homework Help is an after school program at Harms Elementary School for students in preschool to fifth grade. We provide homework help, tutoring, and daily enrichment activities focusing on STEAM, technology, nutrition, and social emotional skill building.

​EARN-A-BIKE PROGRAM​Our Earn a Bike Program is for youth ages 10 to 18 housed at Southwest Rides Bikes and Board Shop. Youth take apart a bike and put in 24 hours of sweat equity to put the bike back together. They learn bike mechanics, safe ridership, and teamwork. After they complete the hours, youth earn a bike to take home with them.